A special star it became, but the reputation of the superstars it had just missed. However, it was not its fault: Turbo engines in Formula 1 had always been possible, but were limited in displacement. Nevertheless, Renault began 1978 trying with a V6, but they managed to win the first GP not until 1979.
Naturally aspirated 3 liter, charged: 1.5 liters
Until 1982 the Ford Cosworth 3L V8 DFV engine dominated. In the F1 scene it run at several teams. It was not until 1983, Turbos could enforce so much that it was permanently baned from 1989 on. So, 1988 was its final season. Competitors developed and for the next season already tried out larger and naturally aspirated engines with more displacement and numbers of cylinders.
None of them for 1988 tinkered so many new things out, concering both, the body/chassis and the engine. The team around the McLaren-Honda constructed almost a new car. It was driven by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, probably the best drivers at the time. And what was the result? Now there were 15 first places plus 10 second ones.
Accident with third party fault in the last race just before the end.
But because life does to write the best scripts, Senna was still involved in an accident in the last race very shortly before the end. So there were 'only' 15 instead of 16 possible victories. Of course, the trophies of World Cup driver and best construction were secure. By the way, there have been ever in history only two racing cars from Alfa and Ferrari, who have won all races they started for. However, that were less than 10 instead of 16 races. 01/16